Simple Christmas – a prayer of gratitude

Simple Christmas – a prayer of gratitude

Why is it so challenging to quiet our minds at Christmas?

We have good intentions, but then the phone rings, or a project comes due, and the kids have a meltdown, and oh! The shopping hasn’t been started.

But that isn’t what Christmas is about, of course. And it isn’t what Jesus wishes for us.

He understands what draws us in a million directions. AND he challenges us, invites us with the greatest hope to ditch the hustle and slow down.

To celebrate a simple Christmas.

A time of prayer, and gratitude, and a remembrance of what we are celebrating.

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”)- Matthew 1:23

 

Enjoy a simpler Christmas

How can we practice gratitude with prayer? Friends, the best prayer is one we actually pray! We don’t need fancy words or eloquence. We don’t need all the “Christian-ese” to reach God, just come as you are.

Speak your mind and heart.

That is a beautiful prayer to God’s ears, His words tell us so!

Charlie Brown : Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?

Linus Van Pelt : Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'”  Luke 2:8-14  

That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

A simple Christmas prayer of gratitude

Lord,

Thank you for calling us into Advent, a season of remembering your coming.

It is far too easy to get caught up in the snowy illustrations, so far from Bethelem.

The carols blaring from the store speakers, leaving out the traditional joyful hymns in favor of “Santa baby”.

To get caught up in the twinkle of Christmas lights, while forgetting the Christmas star.

Lord, forgive us when we forget the awe of your coming so long ago, and only dimly remember the whole point was when you come again triumphantly. That the season of Advent is a current reminder to anticipate.

While the world seems jolly in our modern culture, we celebrate those gifts. It is good and a wonderful thing to enjoy the lights and carols and festivities.

But let us remember too the lonely. Who wish for a family to gather with.

The homeless, who wish for warm walls of protection.

The poor, who wish for a gift to give their child, or money to pay for heat.

The suffering, who wish for peace in their land.

The depressed, who long for a lightened spirit.

Our country, whose division seems amplified, as we forget what we have in common.

Let us give thanks with renewed gratitude, humbled by our present gifts.

With renewed prayers for those who have less.

With passionate prayers for those who know you not, and those who turn from you.

Let us love well and pray for those who have fallen for lies that steal their hearts from you this Christmas, draw them close to you Lord.

Oh, the joy of Christmas in our hearts is a valuable thing, a great treasure. Because we celebrate the greatest gift of all; God willing to sacrifice all of his comforts to be born in the lowliest of circumstances.

To remind us that the least matter, and that he empathizes with our humanity.

Christmas… thank you so much for this opportunity to come humbly before you. Again. Show us the true marvel of the season as we celebrate you.

Thank you for understanding our distractions as we determine to carve out time for you…and once again treasure your love for us.

Please guide us in this season, and always, to draw near to you in wonder and gratitude.

In Jesus PRECIOUS name,

Amen.

Download your free printable of a Christmas prayer here

Practice gratitude to truly celebrate

Prayer isn’t a stream of empty words to a God who is indifferent. It is an invitation to come and converse with the Creator, who loves you with all His heart.

Prayer reminds us that our hope is real.

And, it helps us keep the hustle out of our Holy in a world that never ceases!

Now to be clear, I have all the childlike wonder possible to be packed into a middle-aged woman. I love glitter, and lights, and all the festivities!

However, mostly?  I want to focus my true love only on what matters the most.

Jesus.

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus– Revelation 22:20

I pray you find comfort and joy in this season ♥.

Celebrate Christmas with gratitude

• The Wonder of Christmas: Fifty Meditations on the Birth of Christ 
• Why the Nativity?: 25 Compelling Reasons We Celebrate the Birth of Jesus
• Simply Christmas: A Busy Mom’s Guide to Reclaiming the Peace of the Holidays: A Devotional
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